Polarization maintaining (PM) fiber optical switches are passive devices that open or close an optical circuit, or switch the light beam from one fiber to another one. By using panda PM fibers (PMF), the polarization maintaining optical switches are capable of maintaining a well-defined state of polarization (SOP) of the light. LFIBER’s PM optical switches operate over the visible VIS spectrum and NIR (or IR) spectrum, typically from 430 nm to 2000 nm.  
 
This page is to introduce LFIBER’s polarization maintaining (PM) fiber optical switches controlled by RS-232 communication protocol. For the TTL control version, click PM Fiber Optical Switches (VIS-NIR Spectrum, TTL).
 

About the Polarization Maintaining Optical Switches (PM Fiber Optic Switch)
 
Principles of the Fiber Optical Switches Polarization Maintaining Optical SwitchesInside the polarization maintaining (PM) fiber optical switches, the mechanical movement of some parts controls the direction of the light signal or changes states between transmitting and cutting off the light signal. 
 
Lfiber’s polarization maintaining optical switches are stepping motor driven. The main components inside the switches are stepping motors and polarization maintaining fiber optical collimators. The operation is based on the motion of the stepping motor relative to the fixed collimator, see right figure.
 
 
VIS-NIR Operating Wavelength Range for the Polarization Maintaining Optical Switches
 
Typical NIR operating wavelengths of the polarization maintaining (PM) fiber optical switches include (not limited to) 2000 nm, 1990 nm, 1950 nm, 1940 nm, 1920 nm, 1910 nm, 1900 nm, 1870 nm, 1850 nm, 1710 nm, 1645 nm, 1625 nm, 1610 nm, 1605 nm, 1590 nm, 1570 nm, 1565 nm, 1558 nm, 1550 nm, 1528 nm, 1490 nm, 1480 nm, 1475 nm, 1450 nm, 1410 nm, 1310 nm, 1300 nm, 1080 nm, 1064 nm, 1060 nm, 1055 nm, 1040 nm, 1035 nm, 1030 nm, 980 nm, 976 nm, 975 nm, 960 nm, 946 nm, 940 nm, 938 nm, 935 nm, 930 nm, 915 nm, 905 nm, 860 nm, 852 nm, 850 nm, 845 nm, 835 nm, 830 nm, 808 nm, 795 nm, 793 nm, 780 nm, etc.
 
Typical VIS wavelengths of the polarization maintaining fiber switches include (not limited to) 688 nm, 685 nm, 671 nm, 666 nm, 665 nm, 660 nm, 656 nm, 655 nm, 650 nm, 647 nm, 642 nm, 640 nm, 637 nm, 635 nm, 633 nm, 632 nm, 630 nm, 600 nm, 589 nm, 561 nm, 550 nm, 543 nm, 540 nm, 532 nm, 530 nm, 526 nm, 523 nm, 522 nm, 520 nm, 515 nm, 514 nm, 509 nm, 490 nm, 488 nm, 480 nm, 473 nm, 470 nm, 465 nm, 462 nm, 460 nm, 457 nm, 454 nm, 450 nm, 447 nm, 445 nm, 444 nm, etc.

 

Polarization Maintaining Fiber Optical Switches

Panda PM Fiber, VIS-NIR Spectrum, RS232 / USB

Polarization Maintaining Optical Switches
USER MANUAL

FEATURES OF POLARIZATION MAINTAINING OPTICAL SWITCHES (PM FIBER OPTICAL SWITCH)

  • Low Insertion Loss and High Reliability
  • Serial Interface (RS-232)
  • Modularized Design
  • Epoxy-free on Optical Path

APPLICATIONS OF POLARIZATION MAINTAINING FIBER OPTICAL SWITCHES

  • Optical Signal Switching and Routing
  • Optical Network Monitoring
  • Testing of Fiber Optic Component
  • OTDR Testing

Specifications of the Polarization Maintaining Optical Switches
Number of Channels (N)1×N (N ≤ 16) or other channel counts on request
Fiber TypePanda PM fibers
Insertion Loss (dB)≤ 2.0 dB @ 430-670 nm
≤ 1.5 dB @ 780-1250 nm
≤ 1.0 dB @ 1260-1590 nm
≤ 1.5 dB @ 1600-2000 nm
Extinction Ratio (dB)≥ 20 dB (standard) or better
Operating Wavelength Range (nm)430-2000 nm on request
Testing Wavelength (nm)450, 532, 650, 850, 980, 1310, 1490, 1550, 1625, etc.
Return Loss (dB)≥ 50
Crosstalk (dB)≥ 70
Wavelength Dependent Loss (dB)≤ 0.25
Temperature Dependent Loss (dB)≤ 0.25
Repeatability (dB)≤ 0.02
Lifetime (cycles)≥ 10 million
Switching Time (ms)≤ 8 (adjacent channel)
Power Handling (mW)≤ 500
Power Supply5V / 500mA
Control ModeRS-232
ConnectorFC, LC, SC, ST, etc.
Operating Temperature (℃)-20 to +70
Storage Temperature (℃)-40 to +85
Dimension (mm)135 * 64 * 32 mm, 19" rack or different sizes on request

Notes:
  • Typically, the operating wavelengths of the polarization maintaining (PM) fiber optical switches include, but are not limited to, 444nm, 445nm, 447nm, 450nm, 454nm, 457nm, 460nm, 462nm, 465nm, 470nm, 473nm, 480nm, 488nm, 490nm, 509nm, 514nm, 515nm, 520nm, 522nm, 523nm, 526nm, 530nm, 532nm, 540nm, 543nm, 550nm, 561nm, 589nm, 600nm, 630nm, 632nm, 633nm, 635nm, 637nm, 640nm, 642nm, 647nm, 650nm, 655nm, 656nm, 660nm, 665nm, 666nm, 671nm, 685nm, 688nm, 780nm, 793nm, 795nm, 808nm, 830nm, 835nm, 845nm, 850nm, 852nm, 860nm, 905nm, 915nm, 930nm, 935nm, 938nm, 940nm, 946nm, 960nm, 975nm, 976nm, 980nm, 1030nm, 1035nm, 1040nm, 1055nm, 1060nm, 1064nm, 1080nm, 1300nm, 1310nm, 1410nm, 1450nm, 1475nm, 1480nm, 1490nm, 1528nm, 1550nm, 1558nm, 1565nm, 1570nm, 1590nm, 1605nm, 1610nm, 1625nm, 1645nm, 1710nm, 1850nm, 1870nm, 1900nm, 1910nm, 1920nm, 1940nm, 1950nm, 1990nm, 2000nm, etc.
  • For requests please see the ordering information section and specify the number of channels, operating wavelength range, control mode, etc.
  • The polarization-maintaining fiber (PMF) optical switch is easily controllable through LabVIEW and Python.
  • Lfiber can offer a plug-and-play solution for directly programming the switch via RS232 / USB interface upon request. If there is a need, we can offer software solutions (based on Microsoft Windows OS) so that the users can easily control the PM optical switch (even though you don’t have any knowledge about programming) via the RS232 / USB interface on your computer.
  • The polarization maintaining optical switches can be powered by a universal AC/DC adaptor that is able to convert 100-250 VAC to 5 VDC.
  • Unless otherwise specified, the slow axis of the fiber is aligned with the key of the fiber connector.
  • Standard port/channel counts of the polarization maintaining optical switches: 1×2, 1×4, 1×8, 1×16, 1×24, 1×32, 1×48, 1×64, 1×128, etc. Other channel counts are also available on request.
  • The polarization maintaining optical switches can be installed on standard 19-inch racks. We offer customization upon request if needed. Click Rack-Mounted Fiber Optic Switch for more info.
  • Lfiber’s PM optical switches are customizable and the specifications are subject to change without notice.
  • For product customization or special requirements, please contact our sales representative.

 

RS232 Control via USB: Hardware Connection of the PM Optical Switches

 

PM Optical Switches Polarization Maintaining Fiber Switcher VIS NIR Light Switching

 

Connection of the Polarization Maintaining Optical Switches

 

 

Pin Configurations of the Polarization Maintaining Optical Switches

DB-9 Male Connector

Pin No.I / OSignalDescriptions
2InputRXDReceive Data
3OutTXDSend Data
5PowerGNDGround
8PowerGNDGround
9PowerVCC15.0 ± 5% VDC Power Supply (500mA)
1, 4, 6, 7NCNCVacancy

 

Dimensions of the Polarization Maintaining Optical Switches

Polarization Maintaining PM Optical Switches Fiber Optic Switch Light Switching

 

Optical Route of the Polarization Maintaining Optical Switches

VIS-NIR PM Optical Switches Fiber Channel Optical Switcher Polarization Maintaining PM Fiber Optical Switch

 

Control Chart of the Polarization Maintaining Optical Switches

Polarization Maintaining PM Optical Switches Fiber Optic Switch

 

 

Communication Protocol

  • “_” expression underline.
  • Communication protocols are all capital letters.
  • The communication protocol commands, “<” as the start, “>” as a terminator.

PM Optical Switches 450 460 490 532 630 780 793 632 633 nm 1590 1625 1950 2000 808 830 835 850 905 915 935 940 nm Polarization Maintaining PM Fiber Optical Switch 635 637 650 688 nm 976 980 1030 1040 nm 1064 1080 1300 1310 1450 1490 1550 405 444 nm

 

 

Operating Instructions

COM Settings
Baud rate: 9600 | Data bits: 8 bit | Stop bit: 1 bit | Parity bit: None | Command error return “< OSW_ERROR >”

Software Control Chart (For Reference Only)

PM Optical Switches Fiber Switcher Polarization Maintaining Fiber Switching VIS NIR 2000nm 1950nm 1625nm,1590nm 1550nm 1490nm 1450nm 1310nm 1300nm 1080nm 1064nm 1040nm 1030nm 980nm 976nm 940nm 935nm 915nm 905nm 850nm 835nm 830nm 808nm 793nm 780nm 688nm 650nm 637nm 635nm 633nm 632nm 630nm 532nm 490nm 460nm 450nm 444nm 405nm

 

  • The polarization maintaining optical switches transmits the command to control the optical switch through RS232 serial communication. The optical switch receives the command successfully and returns the response.

  • To program the PM fiber optical switches directly via USB (RS232 control), we can throw in a USB 2.0 to DB9 male serial cable (RS232 converter/adaptor), and then the switch can be connected to the USB port on your device. Click USB to DB9 Male Serial Cable Driver to download the driver for the converter/adaptor. 

  • The polarization maintaining optical switches are bidirectional in operation.

 

Ordering Information for the Polarization Maintaining Optical Switches
Number of ChannelsOperating WavelengthFiber TypeControl ModeFiber Pigtail LengthConnector
1x2444 nmPanda PM fibersRS232 (via DB9 Male)0.50 mNone
1x4450 nmRS232 (via USB)1.00 mLC/UPC
1x8460 nm1.50 mLC/APC
1x16532 nmCustom …SC/UPC
Custom …630 / 632 / 633 nmSC/APC
635 / 637 nmFC/UPC
650 nmFC/APC
780 nmCustom …
793 nm
830 nm
835 nm
850 nm
905 nm
915 nm
935 nm
940 nm
980 nm
1064 nm
1080 nm
1300 nm
1310 nm
1450 nm
1490 nm
1550 nm
1625 nm
2000 nm
Custom …

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